I enjoyed this column by Starkey, and agree with almost every point in it. It was clearly time for TK and the Pens to part ways, but I'll always remember him for some of the bigger clutch playoff moments and goals we've seen in the last ~ 5 years. Farewell indeed, #48.

I wish nothing but the best for him and thanks for the contributions here as a Penguin which included some timely goals and effortxs He always gave everything he had and really made the most out of a kind of average at best skill-set for a NHLer.

Was thinking about creating a Tyler Kennedy appreciation thread. He really does deserve one. He was a warrior for us. I wish him all the best in San Jose and thank him for his relatively thankless years of service here.

Doug Wilson was quoted as saying he was deciding between Clutterbuck and Kennedy, but thought Kennedy would be better for them. The Sharks then went on to trade away Giardia (who some people here wanted to pick pick) in order to make room for TK.

He should do well in San Jose, especially if he's playing with Pavelski.

I think the Crosby-Malkin injury year kind of ruined him. He was relied upon to score for the second half of that season and he lost his identity in doing so. That forecheck he was famous for never came back when Sid and Geno were healthy again.

wondermoose wrote:I think the Crosby-Malkin injury year kind of ruined him. He was relied upon to score for the second half of that season and he lost his identity in doing so. That forecheck he was famous for never came back when Sid and Geno were healthy again.

Agreed. His 2M contract didn't help either. TK was always good in the playoffs. He was horrible this past regular season, but what can you do? It was a good move for both sides.

Much like Maxime Talbot, another heart and soul guy that departs for whatever reason. It's too bad he didn't make himself more valuable this past season, and I will admit he was an effective playoff performer for his type. Boggles my mind why he was scratched in the playoffs when he plays his best, and even if he wasn't up to snuff, his speed alone should have garnered him a spot.

For every "big goal he had" he either sucked for 30 games, or made 30 mistakes. Extremely overrated on these boards. There's LARGE stretches of every regular season where he doesn't even look like NHL caliber. No consistency at all. I never figured out if it was an overall issue with his game-to-game motor...or if his motor just got him so banged up every few games that he would just glide along and couldn't do anything.

IanMoran wrote:A good 4th line player. Shame he went on that tear right before his contract

The Problem is, since he was RFA, you can't make DECREASED money during your RFA years. He isn't worth 2.0M, not with this cap, this year. So no way we could keep him. I agree he's a GREAT 4th liner. Good speed, good grinding, chipping, and put in 12 goals a year on his own. Just not worth it for this team anymore.

neophool wrote:Much like Maxime Talbot, another heart and soul guy that departs for whatever reason. It's too bad he didn't make himself more valuable this past season, and I will admit he was an effective playoff performer for his type. Boggles my mind why he was scratched in the playoffs when he plays his best, and even if he wasn't up to snuff, his speed alone should have garnered him a spot.

Best of luck, TK.

I think a lot of the Penguins recent playoff woes is due to the personnel choices they've made in the off-seasons. Look at who we've let go: Talbot, Kennedy, Scuderi, Gill, Rupp, etc. These are proven playoff performers that we've let go. For some reason it was more valuable to bring in Tanner Glass, to keep Niskanen, keep trying to play Jeffrey, Tangradi, etc. The players above weren't signed for huge contracts. They may have been slightly overpaid, but I'd much rather overpay someone who demonstrates year after year they can perform in the playoffs than throw away a million here and there for Tanner Glass or Jeffrey to ride the bench. Just doesn't make sense to me.

IanMoran wrote:A good 4th line player. Shame he went on that tear right before his contract

The Problem is, since he was RFA, you can't make DECREASED money during your RFA years. He isn't worth 2.0M, not with this cap, this year. So no way we could keep him. I agree he's a GREAT 4th liner. Good speed, good grinding, chipping, and put in 12 goals a year on his own. Just not worth it for this team anymore.

Not necessarily true. See: Mason, Steve. In order to retain rights for players making $1 million or more you need to offer 100% of their current salary OR you may negotiate, well, something else if the situation calls for it.

In any event, respectfully, this our Tyler Kennedy appreciation thread. And while I can't tell you where to post and where not to post (especially on July 4th of all days for goodness sake), if you want to continue to lambaste Tyler Kennedy there are about one hundred thousand other threads where it's applicable. Can the man have just one last one for his service to this organization...?

Fun fact: Tyler Kennedy is tied for 28th in franchise history in even strength goals (w/Paul Coffey and Troy Loney).

Tyler Kennedy was definitely in my top 5 favorite players on this team over the last 4-5 years. I'm sad to see him go. I still don't understand the vitriol that was thrown at him year in and year out around here. He did what he did very well and worked his ass off on the ice every night. What more do you want from a 3rd line guy? I wish him the best of luck and have a feeling that he will do very well I SJ.

Fun fact: Tyler Kennedy, when in the lineup, provided the best Penguins winning % on Thursday nights, during the 2nd Thursdays of every month, when there was a Full Moon, in the history of the Penguins.